Instant analysis: Should Patriots sign CB Joe Haden?

Bill Belichick has always prescribed to the thought that a team can never have too many defensive backs. He’s also often coveted the value of Cleveland Browns players who were one highly touted but have regressed or never panned out.

If those patterns continue, Belichick would consider signing former Browns cornerback Joe Haden, who was released on Wednesday morning. Haden, 28, has seen a decline in play over the past two years. He signed a new contract in 2014, and had a solid season, though at the time it was still one of his worst, according to Pro Football Focus. Then he had back to back terrible seasons in 2015 and 2016. He started to lose his quickness and top-end speed after suffering a handful of muscular, leg injuries.

But Haden is someone the Patriots could work with — especially if he was willing to play on a one-year, “show-me” deal to get one more major contract before he retires.

A comparison to Aqib Talib and Darrelle Revis comes to mind. They were veterans bogged down by injury, and they had regressed from their original selves. The Patriots gave them a one-year shot. And they took it.

The tricky thing about adding Haden would be a gluttony of riches at the cornerback spot. He would join Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler on the field. Butler would move into the slot, mostly because Haden isn’t capable off the demanding physicality of the slot. The Patriots like their slot cornerbacks to be able to tackle well and get aggressive with receivers. Haden is a more natural fit for the outside, and Butler is highly overqualified to playing slot.

But that’s what the Patriots would be building — an overqualified secondary.

With Gilmore covering No. 1 receivers, Haden covering No. 2 receivers and Butler covering the No. 3, the Patriots secondary could be one of the most talented groups in franchise history. The combination of players would likely only last one year with Butler probable to hit free agency and leave. In theory, the Patriots would sign Haden to a short-term deal, which would propel him into another deal elsewhere.

The deal may not be as successful as Talib and Revis, as Haden would be the No. 2 cornerback. But excellent safety play from Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon could make up for Haden’s deficiencies. This could work.